By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – DESPITE last weekend’s coronation of Michael Sado as the Okuokpelagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state, some aggrieved indigenes, Ukhomuyio Concerned Citizens has frowned at the way the said coronation was held as they alleged that alien styles were imported into the process.

Besides, the people called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to revoke the appointment of Sado alleging that the selection process was done by people who are not from Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to produce the king.

A statement signed by Adophus Omokhafe Barry on behalf of the Citizens said “We are not Hausas, we are Edo/Benin people whose progenitor Okpea’na (corrupted to Okpella) and Ikponmosa (corrupted to Ikpomaza) migrated from Ikpe in Upper Sakpoba during the reign of Oba Ozolua. The Hausnization of that exercise called the coronation ceremony is a desecration of our origin and tradition.”

The statement claimed that the ceremony was boycotted by over 90 percent of the people of Okpella claiming that it was an indication that the people did not support the coronation.

Part of the statement said “The coronation ceremony could have been an opportunity for the Okpella community to showcase its rich cultural heritage to the world. We watched as all okpella cultural institutions declined the offer to avail themselves. The event was dominated by Hausa/Fulani customs, which are not part of our tradition. We do hope that this new relationship with and surreptitious infiltration of Hausas and Fulanis to our community by Micheal Sado does not worsen our security.

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‎”As a community, we understand the process by which a king must emerge and will be persistent in boycotting all activities related to or organized by Michael Sado since he was never chosen by Ukhomuyio whose turn it is to produce an Okuokpellagbe. We therefore plead with His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to do the needful by revoking Micheal Sado’s appointment and bring the selection process back to the Ukhomuyio people with a view to ensuring lasting peace in Okpella.

“We are not Hausas; we have our unique Itsogwa, Igbedegwa, Okakagbe, and other cultural exhibitions that should honour such a supposedly unique ceremony and showcase Okpella culture to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this opportunity was regrettably missed due to the imposition of a strange script on our community.”

Although the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lucky Esiegbe could not be reached, a senior official of the ministry who dies not want his name mentioned said “There are laid down procedures for selection of kings and in this case, the process was followed and there are also laid down processes for anybody aggrieved to follow.”